Garment



March 15, 1949.

J.- J. KISPERT GARMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 6, 1946 INVENTO R JOSEPH J; K/SPERT March 15, 1949.

J. J. KISPERT GARMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 6, 1946 March 15, 1949. J, KISPERT 2,4 4,452

GARMENT nv VEN TO K JOSEPH 0% K16 PERT ATTORNEY J. J. .KISPERT March 15, 1949.

GARMENT Filed Aug. 6, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 MNENTOR Q0558! J. K/SPERI' ATTORA/EY March 15, 1949. J. J. KISPERT 2,464,452

GARMENT Filed Aug. -6, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR. JOSEPfl J. AISPEII'T' Patented Mar. 15, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GARMENT Joseph J. Kispert, Mount Carmel, Conn.

Application August 6, 1946, Serial No. 688,760

2 Claims.

This relates to garments and more particularly to a corset, girdle, or similar garment, it being one object of the invention to provide a garment including an elastic section for contraction and expansion of the garment with which is associated a stretch control means comprising a section or series of members of such dimension, in a body encircling direction, that the stretch of the elastic parts will be limited to substantially less than the capacity of the elastic. By restricting the elastic parts from being stretched to the full extent, excessive strains thereon are avoided and the life thereof will be prolonged. Also, in the case of many persons and types of garments, the limitation of expansion will reduce the tendency to purchase a garment which is too small and will result in the purchaser obtaining a properly fitting garment which will have longer life.

Another object of the invention is to provide a garment wherein the elastic may comprise a series of vertically spaced transverse tapes or lacings, in which case the stretch control means comprises preferably an underlying sheet of thin fabric; conversely, the elastic may be a continuous sheet or panel in a vertical direction and the stretch control means a series of transverse strips or tapes. In either case, the sheet material may serve the additional function of a protection to the wearer, preventing flesh from protruding through spaces between the transverse strips or lacings and becoming chafed by rubbing against edges of the spaced members.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction which enables the use of materials of open mesh or weave to provide ventilation for corresponding greater comfort and reducing the deteriorating effect of perspiration on the elastic.

Another object of the invention is to provide a garment so constructed that it will fit snugly about a persons body in close-fitting compressing engagement therewith and serve to uplift the abdomen and hold organs in their proper positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide an expansible garment which not only serves to flatten and uplift the abdomen but also serves to distribute flesh about the body and imparta neat and trim appearance by eliminating bulges which would be present if flesh could protrude outwardly between elastic strips or laces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a garment which will effect a saving in the cost of manufacture as a cheaper grade of elastic may be used, this being due to the fact that the elastic is prevented from being stretched its full extent and broken or Worn out by excessive stretching.

While the improved construction is particularly adapted for use in corsets, girdles, and the like it will be understood that it may be incorporated in other garments and located at the front, the back, sides, or other portions of the garment. v

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a garment of the improved construction.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 22 of Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is a view looking at the inner face of the front portion of the garment.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a vest section before being stretched.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the vest section stretched.

Fig. 6 is a front View showing a garment of modified construction.

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken along the line 1---'! of Figure 6. I

Fig. 8 is a view of the inner face of the front portion of the garment. V

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a vest section before being stretched.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the vest section stretched.

Fig. 11 is a front view of a garment having another modified construction.

Fig. 12 is a sectional View taken vertically through the vest along line l2--l2 of Figure 11.

Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view taken along line Iii-i3 of Figure 11.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line l5-l5 of Figure 14. V

This improved body-supporting garment has been illustrated as a girdle, but it will be understood that this merely shows one form of garment in which the improved construction may be incorporated and that the expansible portion may be located at the front as shown, at the back, or at sides of the garment.

This garment has a body I which fits about the waist and hips of the wearer and projects upwardly a short distance above the waist. The body is open along the front and in order to close this open front there has been provided a vest, formed of companion sections 3 and outer flaps 4 which cover the vest when laced together by the laces 5. Each of the vest sections 3 has a marginal strip 6 along its free side edge formed of inner and outer plies between which is mounted a stay 1 carrying fasteners 8 which project outwardly from the edge of the strip 3 so that the two vest sections may be detachably connected with each other as shown in Figure 1. Elastic strips 9 which extend horizontally and in vertical spaced relation to each other have their outer end sewed into inner edge portions of the strips 3 and their inner or rear ends sewed into a binding strip i sewed along inner side edges of the flaps 4 and reinforced by stays ii. The binding strip also has sewed therein inner ends of tapes I2 which have their outer ends sewed into bindings [3 for outer side edges of the flaps 4 and constitute loops to receive the laces 5 by means of which the flaps are drawn toward each other and secured flat against the vest in covering relation thereto. Below the tapes or loops i 2 are eyelets l4 through which other lacings are threaded so that the lower portions of the flaps ,1

fits and exert an uplifting thrust which holds organs in their proper positions. In order to control stretching of the elastic strips and prevent them from being stretched their full extent each Vest section is provided with a sheet of thin fabric [5, This thin sheet or shield is of greater width than the normal length of the clastic strips but of less width than the length of the elastic strips when stretched to their full extent, and side edge portions of the sheet are sewed into the binding strip Hi and the seam formed by the inner edge portion of the marginal strip 6. It will thus be seen that when the vest sections are stretched transversely in order to interengage their fasteners 8 the elastic strips may not be stretched to their full extent. This prevents excessive strain upon rubber in the elastic strips and the elastic will not be quickly worn out. The fact that the shields or sheets are formed of thin fabric permits them to be folded without having uncomfortable wrinkles formed in them and also allows them to readily absorb perspiration which would have a tendency to rot the rubber of the elastic strips. The fabric sheets is also serve as shields to cover space between the elastic strips and prevent flesh from bulging outwardly between the elastic strips. Therefore the flesh will not become chafed by rubbing against the edges of the elastic strips and the garment will be very comfortable.

In Figures 6 through 10 there has been illustrated a garment of a modified construction. In this embodiment of the invention the garment has a body It which is open along its front and this open front is closed by vest sections i1 and outer flaps 18, the flaps being reinforced along their free side edges with bindings l9 and provided with hooks 2D and eyelets 2! for engagement by laces 22 and 23 by means of which the flaps are laced to each other. Each vest section has inner and outer side portions 24 and 25 which are formed of fabric and along their adjoining side edges carry eyelets '26 through which laces 21 are threaded. The laces are formed of elastic material so that the outer side portions 25 of the vest sectionsmay be pulled away from the inner side portions 24 and the vest thus expanded. The vest sections are also reinforced by elastic strips 28 which are extended when the vest portions 25 are pulled towards each other and detachably connected with each other by fasteners 29 carried by stays 39 enclosed in seams along outer side edges of bindings 3| of the outer vest portions 25. Referring to Figure '7 it will be seen that fabric strips forming the vest portions 24 and 25 are sewed into seams 32 and 33, into which seams are also sewed ends of the elastic strip 28. It will also be seen from an inspection of this figure that in order to control and limit stretching of the laces and the elastic strips 28 each vest section H is provided with a sheet of thin fabric 34 having its side edges sewed into the seams 32 and 33. The strips or sheets of fabric from which the shields 34 are formed are of a width greater than the normal length of the elastic strips 28 but less than the length to which these elastic strips may be stretched. Therefore the sheets-of thin fabric will limit stretching of the strips 28 and also limit the extent to which the laces 21 may be stretched when the garment is put on and pull exerted to pull the bindings 3! for the outer vest portions 25 toward each other and detachably engage their fasteners 29 with each other. Since the laces and the elastic strips cannot be stretched to their full extent they will not be quickly worn out. The fact that the elastic laces have their ends sewed to the inner and outer vest portions, as shown at 35, causes them to be of a predetermined length and causes them to have predetermined constricting pull when the fasteners '29 are interengaged and the vest sections released. Pull exerted by the laces and the elastic strips serves to constrict the garment about a persons body and provide a close and smooth fit, the elastic strips 28 also exerting an uplift to the abdomen and holding organs in their proper positions. Since spaces between the stretched laces are covered by the fabric shields or strips 35, flesh cannot protrude through these spaces and edges of the laces and the elastic strips will not cause irritation by rubbing the flesh.

In Figures 11, 12 and 13 there has been shown a modified construction. In this embodiment of the invention the body 36 of the garment is of the same construction as that previously described and the vest consists of companion sections 31 sewed along their rear or other side edges into the seams 38 which connect the outer flaps 39 with the body portion of the garment. Each vest section has a marginal strip it carrying fasteners 4| and formed of inner and outer plies 42 and 43 between inner edge portions of which are sewed the outer or front side edge of a panel 44 formed of thin elastic fabric and outer ends of stretch controlling strips 45. The elastic fabric 15 is of a mesh weave, or other suitable weave which will allow flow of air through the vest for ventilation purposes and the strips 3-5 are formed of fabric tape. Inner ends of the strips 45 and the inner rear side edge of the sheet of elastic fabric are sewed into the seam 38, and upon referring to Figure 13 it will be seen that the length of the strips 45 has such relation to the width of the sheet l l that while the sheet may be stretched when the corset or girdle is put on its stretch will be limited to appreciably less than its full capacity and the rubber in the elastic sheet will not be stretched to such an extent that it will quickly deteriorate. This also prevents strands of rubber from being torn loose at their ends incase they are cut by a needle when the elastic sheet and the ends of the strips are sewed into the seams 38 and 46.

The amount of stretch permitted in the various constructions will depend upon particular conditions such as the materials employed, the location of the elastic and the type of figure for which the garment is designed. For example, the permitted total circumferential stretch will be about two inches for the slender type, varying to about three and one-half inches for the stout type. Where there are two elastic panels or sections, as in the particular garments shown, the total per mitted stretch would normally be divided between the two. Also, the limits on the degree of stretch of the elastic will vary depending on the circumstances in the particular cases. In general, however, the proportions should be chosen such that the permitted stretch of the elastic is substantially less than the maximum of which it is capable and preferably should not exceed eighty per cent or perhaps ninety per cent of capacity. In most cases the permitted stretch would be nearer about fifty per cent of capacity. In this connection it is noted that the principles of stretch control disclosed have an important application as a surgical garment and, by proper selection of location and proportions, can be made to control any part of the body according to the prescription of a doctor.

A still further application of the principles of the invention is illustrated by Figs. 14 and 15 which show portions of a garment 48 such as a girdle, having an elastic section 49 in the nature of a gore. It will be understood that there may be two such inserts employed, or a single gore at the back of the girdle, and, although here shown as located in the bottom portion of the garment, similar inserts may be employed in the upper portion. Located back of each elastic section 49 is a stretch controller comprising an inelastic section of fabric 50. The elastic and inelastic sections both taper from top to bottom either along straight or curved shaped lines. The dimensions and proportions will vary in different cases but assuming, for example, an elastic gore section three inches wide at the bottom having a. stretch capacity of one hundred per cent, that is, three inches; then the stretch controller section might be proportioned to permit a fifty per cent stretch of the elastic at the bottom, that is, one and onehalf inches. With two gores this would be a total of three inches in the circumference of the garment. In the construction shown the permitted stretch would decrease upwardly to zero amount at the top. This form of the invention illustrates further the selective control of the body portions which may be effected by application of the principles of the invention.

Since other specific embodiments of the invention may be developed in actual manufacture it will be understood that the forms illustrated and described merely disclose practical embodiments of the invention and that changes of construction such as come within the scope of the claims may be made.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

l. A garment comprising a body having a front opening bordered by vest sections and outer flaps for covering the vest sections, said vest sections each having inner and outer side panels and elastic strips extending horizontally between the inner and outer panels in vertical spaced relation to each other, the inner side panels being mounted against marginal portions of the body along the front opening and the elastic strips having their ends secured to confronting side edges of the side panels, a sheet of thin non-elastic fabric disposed back of the elastic strips of each vest section and extending substantially the full length of the vest and having their opposite side edges secured along the confronting side edges of the companion panels together with the ends of the said elastic strips, the sheets of non-elastic fabric being free from the elastic strips except along their secured side edges and being of a width more than the normal length of the elastic strips and less than the length of the elastic strips when stretched whereby the sheets serve to limit stretching of the elastic strips, said sheets also serving as shields to cover spaces between the elastic strips and prevent flesh from protruding outwardly through the said spaces and rubbing against edges of the elastic strips when the garment is tightened about a person, means for detachably connecting the outer side panels with each other, and lace-engaging members carried by said flaps.

2. A garment comprising a body having a front olpening bordered by vest sections and outer flaps for covering the vest sections, said vest sections having outer side edges detachably connected with each other and having inner side edges sewed to the body along inner side edges of the flaps, each of said vest sections having non-elastic vertical panels and elastic strips extending horizontally and secured at opposite ends to confronting side edges of the vertical panels, sheets of thin non-elastic fabric disposed back of said strips and sewed only along their opposite side edges to the vertical panels and being free from portions of the strips between the panels, the fabric sheets being of a width adapting them to prevent complete stretching of the elastic strips and serving to cover spaces between the elastic strips and prevent flesh from bulging outwardly between the strips and rubbing against side edges of the strips, and means for securing the outer flaps against the vest sections.

JOSEPH J. KISPERT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,226,087 Lecoutre May 15, 1917 1,256,358 Newman Feb. 12, 1918 2,305,509 Amyot Dec. 15, 1942 2,379,445 Kispert July 3, 1945 2,410,082 Kispert Oct; 29, 1946 

